90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN

1 The Accident

That is why we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper,

 so I will not be afraid.

 What can mere mortals do to

me?”

Hebrews 13:6

The Baptist General Convention of

Texas (BGCT) holds annual statewide

conferences. In January 1989, they

chose the north shore of Lake Livingston

where the Union Baptist Association,

composed of all Baptist churches

in the greater Houston area, operates

a large conference center called Trinity

Pines. The conference focused on

church growth, and I went because I

was seriously considering starting a new

church.

The conference started on Monday 

and was scheduled to end with lunch on

Wednesday. On Tuesday night, I joined

a BGCT executive and friend named

J. V. Thomas for a long walk. J. V. had

become a walker after his heart attack,

so we exercised together the last night

of the conference.

Months earlier, I had begun thinking

that it was time for me to start a new

congregation. Before embarking on such

a venture, I wanted as much information

as I could get. I knew that J. V. had as

much experience and knowledge about

new church development as anyone in

the BGCT. Because he had started many

successful churches in the state, most

of us recognized him as the expert.

As we walked together that night, we

talked about my starting a new church,

when to do it, and where to plant it. I

wanted to know the hardships as well

as the pitfalls to avoid. He answered my

seemingly endless questions and raised

issues I hadn’t thought about.

We walked and talked for about an

hour. Despite the cold, rainy weather,

we had a wonderful time together. J. V.

remembers that time well.

So do I, but for a different reason: 

It would be the last time I would ever

walk normally.

On Wednesday morning the weather

worsened. A steady rain fell. Had the